Telescopic structure



March 9, 1954 M. B. STEVENS TELEscoPIc STRUCTURE med aan. 19. 1951 i, WQ E ff w f w JT Y 4 mm m a 4 EV O f y, W WR n J Mw 6 -a Mqron 1w I w Patented Mar. 9, 1954 TELESCOPIC` STRUCTURE Myron B. Stevens, Bethesda, Md., assigner to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army Application January 19, 1951, Serial No. 206,903

(Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952),

sec. 266) 6 Claims.

'Ihe invention described herein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.v

My invention relates to telescopic structures and more particularly to telescopic pole or rod structures, together with novel means for locking the sections of the pole ror rod in either vor both of the extended and collapsed positions. Specifically, the invention comprises an improvement of the structure disclosed in the co-pending application of James [Si Cornell, Serial No. 206,901, led January 19, 1951.

Structures of the nature of that contemplated by the invention are well known and have many uses. All of such structures provide some means for locking the sections in either or both of the extended or collapsed positions.`

However, known locking or latching means are usually subject to many objections and frequently are incapable of operating under all weather or temperature conditions without excessive breakage. Many are incapable of being actuated by gloved personnel which is an important consideration in cold climates. Most such means are permanently connected to the parts and cannot be replaced except by skilled personnel using special tools.

While the particular structure disclosed hereinafter is intended for` use as a tent pole, it is obviously capable of other uses within the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. The particular structure of the invention is intended to be formed of lightweight tubular material whereby to provide the maximum strength with a minimum of weight and to provide improved means for retaining the sections in either or both of the extended and collapsed positions. l

With the foregoing in view it is an object of my invention to provide an improved telescopic structure of the class described.

A further object is to provide in such a structure, improved means for locking the'sections in either or both of the extended and collapsed positions. y

A further object is to provide in such a structure, improved spring latch means for locking the sections in either or both of the extended or collapsed positions, such means being of simple structure and being capable of ready replacement by unskilled personnel upon breakage without the use of special tools. l. j

A further object is to, provide at least a pair of tubular sections slidably andy rotatably connected together for telescoping movement, a pair of oppositely disposed holes in one section adjacent one end thereof, a pair of recesses in the other section adjacent the opposite end thereof, and a novel spring latch carried by the rstnamed section and projectable through said holes and into said recesses with said sections in an extended position whereby to lock said sections in such position.

Other objects and advantages reside in the particular structure of the invention, the structure oi the several elements thereof, combinations and sub-combinations of such elements, all of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the attached drawing in connection with the following specication wherein the invention is shown, described and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure l is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal, vertical sectional View 0f an upper portion of the invention, the parts being shown in the extended position;

Figure 2 is a similar view of the lower end of the invention but with the parts shown in the collapsed position;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 3'-3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a view like Figure 3 but taken substantially on the plane of the line 4--4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a view like Figures 1 and 2' of the upper end of the invention, the parts being shown in the collapsed position; y

Figure 6 is a view like Figure 1 of a lower portion of the invention showing means for supporting the 'outer and middle sections in the extended position; and

Figure 7 is an elevation on a reduced scale, showing the invention with the parts in the extended position.

IReferring more specifically to the drawing wherein -like reference characters have been used throughout the several views to designate like parts, H2 designates generally an outer section Y which telescopically receives a middle section l i3 Aand from the extended position of Figures 1 Aand '7 and the collapsed position of Figures 2 and 5. It should be noted that the outer sectionislocated centrally of the pole when the samel is extended which is the point of the greatest buckling strains whereby maximum strength in the device is assured. Of course, the outer section ||2 comprises a case for the sections |I3 and ||4 when the pole is collapsed.

Thus, the invention is generally the same as that shown and described in said co-pending application. However, in this form of the invention, it is unnecessary to provide pairs of holes in the outer and inner sections for a locking pin as the sections may be locked in the collapsed position by a modified latch member. In this form of the invention, if adjustability as to length is desired, the middle section ||3 may be formed with a series of spaced pairs of holes |35 which are adapted to receive an adjusting pin I9 in a Well known manner. If no length adjustment is desired, all but one pair of holes |35 may be omitted.

The means for locking the sections in either the extended or collapsed positions are located entirely inwardly of the sections so as to be protected from the weather and accidental dislodgement. Thus, the outer section |I2 comprises a body portion I|5 the lower end of which, Figure 2, is reduced to provide a neck I I6 and the upper end of which, Figure 1, is reduced to provide a tubular end sleeve ||1. The inner periphery of the end sleeve ||1 is formed with a pair of oppositely disposed recesses |21 for the latch dogs as at |38 to engage the shoulder |43 of the outer section ||2. The body portion |31 is formed with a pair of opposed holes |4| therethrough which are alignable with the notches or recesses |21 when the parts are in the fully extended position of Figure 1. The latch member |28 comprises a spring clip having a body portion |29 and free ends which are outwardly curled to provide eyes having outwardly directed portions 30 to provide latch dogs and inwardly directed portions |45 providing nger grips to be described later. The latch dogs |30 are constructed and arranged to be projected through the holes |4| at all times whereby the latch member |28 is maintained in position in the inner member I |4 at all times. With the parts in the Figures l and 3 position, it is obvious that a slight relative rotation of the inner and outer sections has permitted the seating of the latch dogs |30 in the recesses |21 of the outer section and that a further slight relative rotation will disengage the dogs. As best seen in Figure 3, the holes |4| are sized to permit further extension of the latch dogs |30 therethrough than is necessary to seat the dogs in the recesses |21. The purpose of this feature will be apparent hereinafter.

The middle section ||3, comprises a body portion |32 the upper end of which is outwardly belled at |35 for a sliding and rotating t in the body portion |5 of the outer section 2 and which also abuts the shoulder |43 of the latter section to limit relative collapsing movement of the outer and middle sections. The lower end of the middle section ||3 is formed with any suitable means such as the screw threads |34 for detachably securing an end closure cap |33 thereto. It is desirable to make the cap I 33 detachable to permit access to the interior of the device when a replacement of the latch member |28 is necessary. 'I'he inner periphery of the middle section ||3 is formed with a pair of opposed recesses |42 adjacent the lower end which are located so as to be registrable with the holes |4| of the inner section when the lower end of the latter section is resting upon the end cap |33, Figure 2. A slight relative rotation of the inner and middle sections will cause the latch dogs |30 to seat in such recesses |42 so as to lock all of the sections in the collapsed positions. In this connection, the outer section cannot slide downwardly relatively to the middle section because the lower end of the outer section rests atop the closure cap |33. Likewise, the outer section is prevented from sliding upwardly relative to the middle and inner sections because the flange |5| of the closure plug |39, Figure 5, is bearing against the upper edges of the end sleeve ||1 of the outer section I2. Thus, a single latch member |28 serves to lock al1 sections in the collapsed position and likewise serves to lock the outer and inner sections in the extended position. As in the co-pending application aforesaid, the outer and middle sections may be held in the extended position by the pin IIS and a pair of holes |35 formed in the middle section I I 3 in a well known manner. Obviously, if desired, a second means analogous to the latch |28 may be utilized to hold the outer and middle sections extended. Likewise as in the co-pending application aforesaid, at least the ends of the recesses |21 and |42 are concavely arcuate or are beveled to facilitate the withdrawal of the latch dogs |30 therefrom. By forming the holes |4| oversize, Figure 3, the latch dogs |30 are enabled to project therethrough the additional distance which is necessary to span the space between the inner section I I4 and the middle section ||3 and seat in the recesses |42, Figures 2 and 4.

It should be noted, Figures 3 and 4, that the inner portions |45 of the latch dogs |30 project radially inwardly of the inner section ||4 at all times so as to provide nger grips facilitating the insertion or removal of the latch member |28 after closure cap |33 is removed. This may be accomplished by grasping the inner portions |45 and squeezing them toward each other.

It is apparent from the foregoing, that the operation of the devices may be carried out by unskilled personnel wearing gloves and without the use of tools. Likewise, the structure collapses to a compact package wherein the outer section provides a case for the rest of the structure.

Also, by locating the latch member |20 inside the telescopic members, it is protected against snow and ice and accidental dislodgement. At the same time it is readily accessible for replacement merely by removing the closure cap |33.

Moreover, while I have shown and described what is now thought to be a preferred embodiment form of the invention, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of other forms and expressions. Consequently, I do not limit myself to the precise structure shown and described hereinabove except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In a telescopic pole including outer, middle and inner sections slidably and rotatably tted together for telescopic movement to and from extended and collapsed positions; the improvement comprising one end of said inner section being formed with a pair of opposed holes therethrough, said outer section having an opposite end formed with a pair of inwardly directed recesses therein adapted to be aligned with said holes when said sections are in said extended position, an arcuate spring clip carried by said inner section inwardly thereof, said clip having free ends projecting outwardly of said inner section through said holes, said free ends of said clip being seatable in said recesses to lock said inner and outer sections in said extended position, said middle section having one end formed with a pair of inwardly directed recesses adapted to be aligned with said holes when said sections are in the collapsed position, said free ends oi said clip being seatable in said recesses of said middle section to lock said inner and middle sections in said collapsed position, and means rcleasably engageable with said inner and middle sections with the same in said extended position to prevent relative movement or" said inner and middle sections to said collapsed position.

2. In a telescopic pole including an inner and an outer section slidably and rotatably fitted together for telescopic movement to and from extended and collapsed positions; the improvement comprising said inner section having a lower end formed with a pair of opposed holes therethrough, said outer section having an upper end formed with a pair of inwardly directed recesses therein adapted to be aligned with said holes when said sections are in said extended position, an arcuate spring clip carried by said inner section inwardly thereof, said clip having free ends projecting outwardly of said inner section through said holes, said inner and outer sections having open lower ends, readily removable closure means for said open end of said outer section to permit access to the interiors of said sections, and said free ends of said clip including means projecting inwardly of said inner section to provide a pair of opposed finger grips for facilitating the insertion and removal of said clip to and from said inner section.

3. In a telescopic pole including an inner and an outer section slidably and rotatably tted together for telescopic movement to and from extended and collapsed positions; the improvement comprising said inner section having a lower end formed with a pair of opposed holes therethrough, said outer section having an upper end formed with a pair of inwardly directed recesses therein adapted to be aligned with said holes when said sections are in said extended position. an arcuate spring clip carried by said inner section inwardly thereof, said clip having free ends projecting outwardly of said through said holes, said inner and outer sections having open lower ends, readily removable closure means for said open end of said outer section to permit access to the interiors of said sections, and said free ends of said clip including looped portions projecting inwardly of said inner section to provide a pair of opposed iinger grips for facilitating the insertion and removal of said clip to and from said inner section.

4. In a telescopic pole including outer, middle and inner sections slidably and rotatably fitted together for telescopic movement to and from extended and collapsed positions; the improvement comprising said inner section having a lower end formed with a pair of opposed holes therethrough, said outer section having an upper end formed with a pair of inwardly directed recesses therein adapted to be aligned with said holes when said sections are in said extended position, an arcuate spring clip carried by said inner section inner section inwardly thereof, said clip having free ends curled on themselves to provide eyes, outer portions of said eyes providing latch dogs projecting outwardly of said inner section through said holes, said latch dogs being seatable in said recesses to lock said inner and outer sections in said extended position, said eyes having inner portions projecting inwardly or" said inner sections to provide nger grips, said middle section having a lower end formed with a pair of inwardly directed recesses adapted to be aligned with said holes when said sections are in the collapsed position, said latch dogs of said clip being seatable in said recessesof said middle section to lock said inner and middle sections in said collapsed position, means releasably engageable with said inner and middle sections with the same in said extended position to prevent relative movement of said inner and middle sections to said collapsed position, said inner and middle sections having open lower ends to provide access to said clip, and readily removable closure means normally closing said lower end ci said middle section.

5. In a telescopic pole including outer, middle and inner sections slidably and rotatably fitted together for telescopic movement to and from extended and collapsed positions; the improvement comprising said inner section having a lower end formed with a pair of opposed holes therethrough, said outer section having an upper end formed with a pair of inwardly directed recesses therein adapted to be aligned with said holes when said sections are in said extended position, an arcuate spring clip carried by said inner section inwardly thereof, said clip having free ends formed to provide latch dogs projecting outwardly of said inner section through said holes, said latch dogs being seatable in said recesses to lock said inner and outer sections in said extended position, said middle section having a lower end formed with a pair of inwardly directed recesses adapted to be aligned with said holes when said sections are in said collapsed position, and said latch dogs of said clip being seatable in said recesses of said middle section to lock said inner and middle sections in said collapsed position.

6. The structure of claim 5, wherein said free ends of said clip include looped portions projecting inwardly of said inner section to provide a pair of opposed nger grips to facilitate the insertion and removal of said clip to and from said inner section.

MYRON B. STEVENS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 930,406 McDonald Aug. 10, 1909 1,047,532 Johnson Dec. 17, 1912 1,289,867 Moore Dec. 31, 1918 1,311,918 Seagers Aug. 5, 1919 1,801,014 Lange Apr. 14, 1931 1,820,950 Schulstadt Sept. 1, 1931 2,354,806 Fletcher Aug. 1, 1944 2,376,716 Odin May 22, 1945 2,488,480 Spirt Nov. 15, 1949 2,522,991 Caserta Sept. 19, 1950 

